THIEVES are "fishing" for car keys or simply opening unlocked doors to steal cars to order.

A dedicated police hit squad has been set up after thieves began targeting unlocked homes in the east of Glasgow and East Dunbartonshire and stealing keys from others.

Police say the thieves are trying doors and windows to find any homes that are not locked or are using wire with magnets to "fish" keys from secure houses.

The thieves are paid £1000 for valuable cars, which are then sold for parts, or take others for joyrides.

A total of 154 vehicles, worth £1.3 million, were stolen in the Greater Glasgow area between March 18 and August 10. About one third were not recovered.

Chief Inspector Rob Hay, of East Dunbartonshire police division, said the Shettleston and East Dunbartonshire areas had the highest rates for vehicle theft in the city and the surrounding areas.

Each area has five officers dedicated to tackling the problem, codenamed Operation Orion.

He said: "The perpetrators are moving from one area to the other.

One aspect is they are targeting the cars for joyriding. They run them out then abandon them.

"The second, more sinister, aspect is they are targeting high end vehicles to move them on. This is serious and organised crime.

"They are stealing to order, primarily for them to be moved on as parts. They are stripped down and go on the black market.

"It's the same criminals who are involved in both types of theft."

Increased vehicle security in car manufacturing in recent years, including fitting immobilisers, has meant cars are getting harder to steal.

Chief Inspector Hay said: "It has meant thieves trying to get into insecure houses or to break into houses for keys.

"All they are interested in is getting the keys and getting out."

Police intelligence suggests a core group of about 16 to 20 offenders are responsible. The chief inspector added: "They get £1000 for a high end car.

"The public do not realise they can prevent a lot of these crimes by making sure they secure their homes and keeping keys away from the front door, ideally in drawers."

Shettleston councillor Martin Neill said he had spoken to residents in Mount Verrnon and Sandyhills who had been directly affected.

He said: "The people who commit these crimes are chancers and we need to make sure we do everything possible to stop them.

"I have spoken directly with people who have had break-ins and cars stolen and know the misery this can cause people and their families.

"I am asking people to keep an eye out for neighbours, particularly the elderly and vulnerable, and to make sure all doors and windows are locked at night."

victoria.brenan@eveningtimes.co.uk